Do We Still Need Conventional Publishers? By Jenny Twist (@JennyTwist1)

It's always a great pleasure to hand over my blog to the wonderful Jenny Twist and today she contributes to my debate on self- vs traditional publishing.  This article is taken from her excellent collection of essays: 'An Open Letter to Stephen King and Other Essays'  

In the modern world of e books and print on demand it is all too easy to imagine that conventional publishing will lose its raison d’être. It is now possible to produce your own book for nothing. Obviously this is a great boon for authors, especially the vast majority who were unable to get accepted by a publisher. But is it really such a boon? What do publishers actually do for their authors?

Having accepted an author’s work, it is the publisher’s job to put it into publishable form, i.e. make sure it is properly edited and provided with good cover art

Few, if any, authors are competent to proof their own work. No matter how good you are at proof-reading it’s very difficult to spot your own mistakes. You see what you expect to see, what you know to be there. You knew what you meant when you wrote that sentence, so may not realise that it doesn’t make sense to somebody else.

The independent author wishing to produce work of a professional standard has to, therefore, employ a professional proof-reader. One way round the cost is for authors to proof each other’s work. This is in any case often the way small press publishers handle editing, using their own authors rather than employing a professional.

Cover art is something else again. There are, of course, authors who are perfectly competent to do their own artwork. Perhaps more than you think. Creative people are often creative in more than one field. And there are packages available, free, for applying lettering to your original artwork. So it can theoretically be done at no cost. But my own experience has been that a professional cover artist is indispensable. 

Original Sketch Final e-cover

I came across this when one publisher I approached would not accept submissions without cover art. I literally spent weeks trying to find the definitive picture of an angel for my book. I wanted a carved wooden angel – the kind of statue so beloved in village churches in Spain. I couldn’t find a single picture that conveyed what I wanted. Eventually, I did my own drawing based on a stone carving. And I still hadn’t a clue how to do the lettering! Luckily I was rescued from this task by having my manuscript accepted by another publisher. But the experience made me realise that I, for one, was definitely not up to the job.

One of the things that you might think publishers do for their authors is promote their work. Wrong. The publisher’s job is to produce a product fit for the marketplace and make it available to the public and booksellers. It is not part of their brief to do promotion campaigns. Even the big publishing houses do very little of this. In fact, they are unlikely to do anything at all unless you are already a celebrity. It’s one of those Catch 22 situations. The chances are the only thing they will do is produce a monthly newsletter. So there is very little advantage for the author in using the conventional route as far as promotion is concerned. You have to do your own anyway.

You can promote without spending any money at all, using social network sites, writing blogs and newspaper articles, doing interviews on local radio and organising book signings. All this is free but very time-consuming and it is a constant cry from authors that they have no time to write because they spend all their time promoting.

There is actually no way round this. Even if you spend vast amounts of money on advertising, you probably still have to do a fair bit of promotion work. You could be the best writer that ever lived but no-one will buy your books if they’ve never heard of you.

There is, however, one major advantage conventional publishing offers the author. It confers respectability. A conventionally-published author has been vetted, accepted and polished by a professional organisation. Many new self-published authors have great difficulty being taken seriously. Some review sites actually refuse to review independent authors.

And there is one further advantage of going the conventional route – the publisher deals with

the distribution through booksellers. Booksellers are usually quite happy to deal with publishers since they take the books on a sale or return basis and have nothing to lose. In order to offer the same deal the independent author has to buy vast numbers of copies of his own book and negotiate individually with booksellers. The financial risk is enormous, not to mention the time spent approaching each outlet.

But what has this change in the business done for the reader? Well, for a start e books are much cheaper than printed books and there are literally thousands offered free every day as authors vie to get the attention of readers. Great, isn’t it?

Well, yes, it is, but we now have the problem of what to choose. Thousands of them! Where do you start?

I have gone from downloading anything that looked vaguely readable, to restricting downloads, even free downloads, to books by authors I know to be good, or people I have been wanting to read because I have come to know them on the social networks.

I have become jaded with free e books because so many of them are really badly-written. Sorry, but I’m afraid it’s true. Most independent authors produce badly-edited, if not unedited work. Many, if not most, have only a passing acquaintance with good grammar. And, I’m sorry to say this, but the vast majority have no talent for writing. I have read some truly awful books in the last few years.

For every great writer who never made it out of the slush pile in the publisher’s office there are hundreds who should never have been in print in the first place. Whatever you may think of conventional publishing, it at least operates as a filter preventing the really bad authors getting through.   

Sooner or later the rush to get free books will die down and readers will begin to be more discerning. They will be prepared to pay for a book, provided they are confident they will be buying something of good quality. And this, surely, is where conventional publishing will come into its own.

If there is one area where conventional publishing can really justify its existence, it is in the provision of high quality books. I’m not talking about literature here. I’m talking about good, readable stories with well-constructed plots and believable characters, written in good, grammatically correct English.

Sadly too many publishers, especially in the small press, do not do this job very well. I am surprised at how many bad writers are being accepted and at how poorly their work is edited. In my opinion the only way the small press will survive is to maintain a rigorous standard of excellence, and that means no cutting corners. It means employing professional editors, rather than using their own authors to edit each other, a practice which only exacerbates the problem of taking on semi-literate authors in the first place. And maybe it means doing a bit more for their authors than just publishing their work, like providing proper marketing services.

Those publishers who do this will attract the best writers and will gain a reputation of excellence. And maybe conventional publishing will survive. 

New Release - 'In Loving Hate' by Lynette Sofras #MFRWauthor

Formely published by MuseItUp Publications, I'm delighted to have received back my publishing rights to my romantic suspense In Loving Hate, in order to publish it myself at a lower price.

It's out today, only $2.99 plus tax, or £1.99 in the UK.

Blurb:

How far will the rich and powerful go in order to achieve their goals? That is the question Lyssa must decide when she finds herself caught between two formidable adversaries: powerful business tycoon and shipping magnate, Alex Andrakis and close childhood friend, ‘Dynamic’ Nell Winters, brewery heiress and prolific businesswoman.

Following the failure of her marriage in Greece, Lyssa returns to her family home in London, to discover that her mother, a once-celebrated actress, is now facing crippling debts.  When Lyssa begins to investigate these, she becomes embroiled in the intricate business dealings of Nell and her arch-rival Alex.  Irresistibly drawn to widower Alex and his unhappy young son, Lyssa begins to uncover some unexpected and disturbing facts. 

The more involved she becomes, the more shocking are the discoveries she makes.  The conflicts culminate in a frightening battle for survival as Lyssa finds herself the prime target between the possessive Nell and obsessive Alex.   With her loyalties deeply divided, can Lyssa make the right choice for everyone concerned?

Review copies are now available.

Excerpt:

“Nicky, ela!  We’re leaving.”  Alex interrupted coldly from the doorway.

Lyssa turned quickly, surprised at his hostile tone.

“Oh not yet, Alex.  I want to talk to Lyssa.”

“Now.” Alex’s face looked like thunder.

“But you said—”

“Forget what I said.  We’re leaving.”

Lyssa watched him in confusion.  “Is there something wrong, Alex?  Perhaps I can help?”

He threw her a contemptuous look.  “Help?  Oh I think you’ve ‘helped’ quite enough.  I suppose I must congratulate you on a job well done, Lyssa.  I promised to do nothing without consulting you—you might have offered me the same courtesy in return.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Your technique, Lyssa.  A clever little trick, but your tactics stink”

“Wait…I don’t understand”

“You ought to have followed your mother onto the stage.  Your performance certainly fooled me.”  He turned and began pulling the protesting boy up the staircase.  She followed them in bewilderment as far as the oak door, where he turned and cast a final, angry look at her.  “Goodbye, Lyssa.  I wish you and your cunning friend every success.”

“Which friend?” she whispered to herself after he disappeared and before she recalled that she only possessed one.

She turned towards the drawing room where she found her mother pacing the floor in agitation, ramming her stick vigorously into the thick, silken pile of the carpet at every turn.

“What happened, Mother?”  Lyssa asked, as she watched the limping figure.

“Poor Alexis is a little upset about it all,” Dame Constance explained.  “I didn’t expect him to take it quite so badly—in fact, I’d hoped he might be rather pleased for me.  I think I shall go and lie down.  That young man has quite exhausted me with all his questions.”  She limped toward the door, stopped upon reaching it and half turned to face her puzzled daughter.  “And Lyssa…thank you, my dear.  Please don’t imagine that I’m unappreciative of your efforts.  This is a great load off my mind.  Oh, and if you are off to see Nell, why don’t you ask her to dine with us one evening?  Or, perhaps I really should ask her myself?”  Dame Constance continued to muse over the question as she left the room.

Lyssa stared after the retreating figure of her mother; still an elegant and commanding woman, despite her limp and advancing years.  Then Lyssa repeated Nell’s name inaudibly, with a slow nod of her head.

Taking back your rights: To Self-Publish or Not?

I published my first novel just over four years ago, after finally dragging myself out of teaching, a job that was draining all my energies.  Yes, I did feel guilty for abandoning a career about which I was very passionate, but that's an entirely different issue.  Finally I was able to stay at home and pursue my childhood dream of becoming an author - and I've never looked back.

At the time I knew nothing about publishing, even less about self-publishing, but you learn a lot very quickly in this industry.  I was thrilled when my first novel was picked up by a newly formed online publishing press Inspired Romance (which is now more prolific as Prism Book Group), indeed winning its inaugural grand writing prize.  By that time I already had my second book ready and, at an online publishers' event, decided to be adventurous and approach a different press.  This book was also accepted, but in the many months it took to appear, I'd surprised myself and managed to produce two more novels in fairly quick succession and decided to take the bold step into self-publishing.

Without a doubt, it was one of the most exciting things I've ever done.  I loved the challenge and autonomy self-publishing offered and joined many online author groups who provided friendship, enormous support and unstintingly generous advice about their own experiences, pitfalls and learning curves.

But the reputation and landscape of self-publishing has changed hugely in the past few years and now the dilemma of whether to self-publish or not has returned.  For as many self-published authors who are now seeking so-called traditional publishing (I use this descriptor because traditional publishing has also changed quite radically in recent years), I know just as many who have sought or are requesting their copyrights back from their publishers in order to 'go it alone'.

I feel I've been fortunate in having a foot in both camps, but now that I'm a free agent, will I fly or fall? Over the next few weeks I'll be talking more about this subject and introducing authors who have shared similar experiences to tell us their stories.
I hope you'll join us.

New York Dolls by Catherine L. Hensley - #bookreview

We all enjoy a good chick lit, so I was delighted to receive a review copy of New York Dolls to read and review recently.  Here's what I thought:

“Never insert yourself into a story. If you do, you have to get yourself out of it, neat and tidy. It can never be about you.”  That was supposed to be the first lesson Denton Hodges learned when she went to work for Glitter Magazine.  Unfortunately she evidently failed that class, because inserting herself up to her eyeballs is exactly what Denton does on her first real assignment.  How she extricates herself from it is what makes compelling and entertaining reading in this chick lit adventure.

At first I was reminded slightly of Wishful Thinking - with Chris (Hollywood superstar) and Amber, the off-the-wall press-darling who exerts a mysterious hold over him, as well as a heroine working in publishing.  It's also reminiscent of The Devil Wears Prada, but I'm happy to say it's very much its own story - and a truly engaging one too.  The writing is a cut above what you usually find in the chick lit genre and the author draws you in very quickly and holds you transfixed throughout.

Some of the characters are beautifully drawn.  It's impossible to dislike Amber for all her neediness and lack of consideration.  She has a vulnerable, childlike quality you have to love and want to protect.  She certainly steals the show for me.  There are some other delightful characters, too, including Liz, Denton's mentor at Glitter; the fatherly chauffeur/bodyguard Mr John, and Raymond, the chef at Mamie's Bake Shop.  Less likeable, in my opinion (though it's not easy to pinpoint why), is the gorgeous hero Chris West.  He's a truly nice guy with a caring, protective nature, but remains a little too distant and secretive and, well…perfect, to allow us to get to know him too well.  I suppose that's what super-stardom does to some people.

The New York setting is so powerfully drawn, it's almost like another character and really brings the story alive.  Coming from the UK and never having been to NYC, this is exactly as I would imagine it; how it is portrayed in the most memorable movies. Catherine Hensley's skill with her descriptions is what lifts New York Dolls above average and makes it a visual and memorable story.  I liked the twist at the end, but confess I anticipated it about half-way through.  Nonetheless, it was executed well and provided a satisfying conclusion.

For me New York Dolls was a rewarding piece of escapism and for a début novel (which I assume this is) shows enormous promise.  I would happily read more from this talented author and award her all five cute cats for this story.

About Catherine L. Hensley

Catherine L. Hensley is a professional freelance editor and writer. From fiction and nonfiction manuscripts to academic pieces, she provides an extensive range of copyediting, proofreading, content editing, and writing services to a wide variety of clients located around the United States and abroad.

A native of south Louisiana, Catherine received her master of arts degree in creative writing and media studies from New York University and her bachelor of arts degree in English from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, with minors in history and mass communication. Her writing has appeared in The Advocate (Louisiana’s largest newspaper), OT Practice magazine, Quiet Mountain: New Feminist Essays, and Mused, the BellaOnline Literary Review. For more, visit www.catherinehensley.com.

Valentine Special Offer: 'With Love' - 3 heart-melting romances

When I produced my boxed set of three contemporary romances, my intention was to make this special officer set available for two limited 2-3 week periods around Christmas and Valentine's Day. The set is now available once again until February 21st only.

For $3.99 plus VAT—that's less than half the price of the three individual books—you can buy all three heart-melting romances during the first three weeks of February.




The individual stories are:

The Apple Tree - Prism Book Group's Grand Prize Winner of 2011

A disaffected young hospital doctor mistakes a successful businessman for a gardener and an unlikely love blossoms.  

But she has a past she wants to forget and he lives by strong principles of truth which drive them on separate, painful journeys of self-discovery. 

Wishful Thinking - Amazon UK's #1 seller in 2012

A struggling single mother and a pop-icon turned Hollywood star meet in unusual circumstances. 
Fate drew them together but the intrigue and trappings of stardom threaten to unravel love's ties.








Shopping for Love

They shop for others out of kindness and naturally fall in love; but he is still raw from his painful divorce and she is his children's teacher.  
Add to the mix a spiteful ex-wife and scheming ex-boyfriend and love may have too high a price tag.


Click on any of the covers to take you to Amazon (US) or any of the links below for more information about each story:

Amazon UK 
Amazon US
My Website

Happy Valentine's Day to all my readers!

Writing Mistakes Cost Money

I was recently approached by Grammarly to include an article for them on my blog.  As a former English teacher turned author, I know that accurate and correct English is of paramount importance to success throughout life.

As a teacher, I was often asked by parents how they could help their children's writing skills and my answer would invariably be to foster a love of reading at a very early age.  Lead by example, I would say.  Children who see their parents enjoying a good book are likely to be more inclined to read themselves.  Sadly, all too often adults would tell me they enjoyed reading but didn't really have the time.  Confident readers usually make more confident writers, and confident writers have a greater chance of success in their working lives.  

Careful proof-reading of written work can help rectify mistakes and give the final polish needed to any form of written communication. Students invariably dislike proof-reading, so why should busy working adults be any different?   Yet the importance of accurate writing cannot be stressed enough, and a reputable grammar checker and proof-reading service is invaluable. Grammarly told me:

"We proofread 400+ freelancer profiles from all eight categories of the Elance platform for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. To adjust for quality of work, we only selected freelancers with an average rating of four stars or above. We then looked at correlation between earnings and number of mistakes. We hope the direction the data is pointing in spurs some thought and conversation about the importance of good writing."

Grammarly's infographic elaborates on their findings:

Review - Deep Breaths: Tales of Hope and Inspiration by Tara Fox Hall

I always feel privileged when authors let us into their private worlds and so I entered Tara Fox Hall's world with wonder and some trepidation.   I'd read (and thoroughly enjoyed) her stories before, but not her factual essays.  But I needn't have worried; stepping into Deep Breaths: Tales of Hope and Inspiration was like entering an enchanting new world - and one I didn't want to leave again.

Tara's family

Deep Breaths is a collection of reflections on the author's daily life in the idyllic-sounding environment in which she lives.   She enjoys complete harmony with the natural world around her and with which she communes as she goes about her daily routine, doing her chores or walking her faithful dogs (and cats).  Her extended family of pets is especially delightful and unique, each with their own quirks and personalities as interesting as their names.

Wild creatures, some of whose names I've only ever come across in films, surround the author. Coming from the UK, I've never seen coyotes, chickadees, groundhogs or hummingbird moths, but Hall encounters them every day… and generally rescues them from various dramatic plights. Whether she's saving trapped dragon flies, stray toads, adventurous snapping turtles or opportune starlings nesting in the eaves of her house, her sense of humour and powerful faith shines through her accounts and descriptions, making them uplifting to read.

I found Sunset, in which she ensures a trio of beautiful moths with singed wings meet a dignified end particularly poignant; while Letting Go, her reflections on her beloved, aging dog, Kesteral, had me unashamedly in tears.  And only Tara Fox Hall can make the stacking of firewood into such a delightful subject as in Keeping it Straight.

This collection of writings will draw you into the author's special world, lift your spirits and leave you feeling deeply satisfied.  She writes with wit, perception and immense sensitivity.  Each short essay can be read and savoured in isolation, to raise flagging spirits during short breaks from the mundane routine, or read as I did, in a couple of sittings, because I simply could not tear myself away from Tara Fox Hall's captivating world.  Highly recommended, as my five cute kitties prove.

About Tara Fox Hall

Tara, husband Eric, Legolas and Strider (in black)

Tara Fox Hall’s writing credits include nonfiction, erotica, horror, suspense, action-adventure, children’s stories, and contemporary and historical paranormal romance. She is the author of the paranormal fantasy Lash series and the paranormal romantic drama Promise Me series. Tara divides her free time unequally between writing novels and short stories, chainsawing firewood, caring for stray animals, sewing cat and dog beds for donation to animal shelters, and target practice. All of her published children’s stories to date are free reads on www.childrens-stories.net.